Apply security to PDFs with Nutrient Document Web Services API on Zapier

What is Zapier?

Zapier is an automation platform that connects your favorite apps and services with no code required. You can build “Zaps” to automate repetitive tasks by setting up triggers and actions between apps like Google Drive, Slack, Gmail, and more.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to use Zapier to password-protect PDFs and restrict access permissions automatically using the Nutrient API.

What is the Nutrient API?

Nutrient Document Web Services API is a powerful platform for document automation. With your free account, you get 100 credits, which you can use to perform various document operations. Each tool (e.g. conversion, signing, flattening) consumes a different amount of credits depending on complexity.

Nutrient offers more than 30 tools with the ability to:

• Convert images and documents to PDF

• Merge, split, or reorder pages

• Add digital signatures, watermarks, or annotations

• Run OCR, redact, flatten, and more

All you need is an API key from a free account to get started. You can chain these tools together in Zapier to build powerful, automated PDF workflows.

What you’ll need

• A Zapier account (a pro plan is necessary for multi-step Zaps)

• A Google Drive account

• A PDF file uploaded to a Google Drive folder

• A Nutrient Document Web Services API key — sign up here

Step 1 — Trigger a new file in a Google Drive folder

1. Select Google Drive as the trigger app.

2. Choose the New File in Folder trigger event.

3. Connect your Google Drive account.

4. Configure the trigger:

• In the Drive field, select your Google Drive.

• In the Folder field, select or create a folder (e.g. nutrient).

• Ensure that the option for Include Deleted Files? is set to Only return non-deleted files.

5. Test the trigger by selecting a sample PDF file from the folder to confirm it’s being pulled into the Zap correctly.

Step 2 — Apply security to PDF action (Nutrient API)

1. Next, select Nutrient Document Web Services API as the app.

2. Choose the Apply Security to PDF action.

3. Connect your Nutrient API account by entering your API key.

You can find your API key in the Nutrient dashboard.

4. Fill out the required and optional fields:

   • PDF File URL — From Step 1 (Google Drive)

   • Owner Password — Required. Set an admin-level password to control permissions.

   • User Password — Optional. Add a password users need to open the PDF.

   • User Permissions — Optional. Choose what users can do — e.g. printing, extract, fill_forms, etc.

   • Output File Name — Optional. Add the file name, e.g. secured_report.pdf

5. Test the step to confirm the PDF is successfully protected.

Step 3 — Upload the secured PDF to Google Drive

1. Now, add another step by selecting Google Drive as the app and Upload File as the action event. Connect your Google Drive account if needed.

2. Select your drive and the folder where the updated PDF should be saved. In the File field, use the output from the Nutrient API step. Optionally, set a custom file name or extension to keep things consistent and organized.

3. Run a full test to make sure:

• The PDF is picked up from your drive.

• Passwords and restrictions are correctly applied.

• The secured PDF is uploaded to the output folder.

Once confirmed, click Publish to automate your secure document workflow.

Conclusion

With this workflow, you’ve created a secure PDF automation using Zapier and Nutrient’s API. Password-protect sensitive documents and enforce viewing restrictions automatically as soon as they’re uploaded — perfect for HR, finance, legal, or any team handling confidential information.